Ethiopia: Madina Chuol, 21, came to the refugee camp in 2014 with her sister. A mother of one studying in 11th grade, she is currently living in in Kule South Sudanese refugee camp, Gambella. Photo: Maheder Haileselassie/Oxfam.
Aid & development
Aid and development
Around 700 million people around the world live in extreme poverty. Thousands of people die each day due to lack of access to clean water or basic medicines. Young people are pulled out of school and sent to work so that families can earn enough to survive. Globally, billionaires are over $3 trillion wealthier in 2024, a pace three times faster than 2023. All the while the number of people living below the poverty line hasn’t changed since 1990.
Oxfam is determined to change this world — we believe an equal world free from poverty is possible.
It will come about through ensuring universal access to food, clean water, gender equality, climate action and safe work. We need to make sure people have access to work that is safe and fairly paid, and communities are supported to adapt to the changing conditions of the world around them, including the weather.
As a wealthy nation we have both the ability and responsibility to support communities around the world so that they too can benefit from the gains of development.
We have made great progress over recent decades with the halving of global poverty, which has been possible because of aid and development finance. But currently, Australia’s aid is just 0.65% of the Federal Budget.
We must continue to join together to tackle poverty, so we can empower more communities to build better lives for themselves.
Threats to our world are intensifying – dangerous weather, increased wars and soaring inequality. Decisions made by this generation can put the world back on track.
Sustainable Development Goals: Global goals to combat poverty, inequality and climate change
In September 2015, world leaders gathered at the United Nations in New York to pledge their support for a new set of global goals to combat poverty and protect the planet.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 new global goals that chart a pathway from 2015 to 2030 for every nation to:
- Address poverty, hunger and malnutrition
- Tackle inequality and build more inclusive, peaceful societies and economies for all
- Combat climate change and protect the planet
- Address gender inequality and stop all forms of violence against women and girls
The goals come after global talks between governments, organisations, businesses and people like you to agree the key challenges that need to be addressed for a better world by 2030.
The SDGs follow the success of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which were agreed in the year 2000 and helped to deliver a halving of global poverty.
How you can help
Join Oxfam today and help communities all over the world live free from poverty.
